He made 10 apperaences in total, had Kevin Davies and Blackpool strikers quiet all game, as I said, WHEN he played last season he was good but don't forget Adkins must rate him as he has just given Martin a new 3-year deal so he obviosuly thinks he has the potential
I have learnt over the years not to be dissapointed when signing an unknown as untill they signed for us i had never heard of Claus ,Niemi, Killer Svensson or Pahars all of whom became pretty popular with the fans if it happens welcome Jemmal you are now a saint
But does Adkins rate him? Remember you & st_brendy having this discussion on the post "starting X1" where he questioned if Adkins did rate him? Same opinion I think as st_brendy said "Saints would be crazy not to sign him as he could be good in the future, but not now, also a cheap option to gamble with. He also questioned how you thought he would start ahead of the others? Did he make 10 appearances ? Really, but coming on as a sub for 10mins doesn't really count when you look at the performance & experience of a player being fit for the championship. I also think the 7 subs rule will affect the likes of Martin and other reserve players this season. It will be a shame that they won't even get the luxury of being on the bench lowering their chances to get the 10mins they had last season. Seems the rules changing is harsh for this type of player with the potential Martin could have.
I honestly believe Adkins does rate him, I noticed towards the end of the season when we were winning with Martin coming on a lot more, this shows to me that Adkins is trying to blood him in where the stakes are lower (ie. when we are winning comfortably), I think he's slowly bringing him through and eventually I think he will make it to the 1st team - they've gotta be given a chance at some point, and if he impresses in pre-season, who knows?
Martin was excellent against Bolton. But everyone can have a few good games. As with everything, you only get closer to the truth and to reality when you have a large sample size. For all we know, if Martin had played as often as Seaborne, he might be be rated as highly as he is. Is he really capable of putting that Bolton-type performance in every week? He just has not played enough to be considered a certain started in the Championship - and then there's the fact that what little he has played, has been confined to L1 and cup appearances. There has to be a reason why Adkins preferred Seaborne to him last season. It wasn't even a slight preference; Seaborne was clearly his 3rd choice after Fonte and Jaidi. I actually think Martin could be a cracking player in the future. But the key words there are "could" and "future". Nothing is certain, and it certainly doesn't apply to right now. Sign a top CB and loan Martin out for the season. That would be my ideal situation. If not, then nothing should change from last season. Fonte 1st, Jaidi 2nd, Seaborne 3rd, Martin 4th. It's what it was last season, so there is no reason or logic to change it (unless, as I say, we bring someone else in from outside. The guy discussed here sounds good).
Whats the latest on Puncheon out of the rumor-mill anyway? SkySport transfer center hasn't mentioned him.
Most probably yes. But that's even more reason for him not to feature regularly in the Championship for us. If experience was an issue down in L1, it should be a massive issue in the Championship. Like I say, loan Martin out for the season. Get him a full season under his belt (so make sure it's a club who state beforehand that they want him for the first team). Sign a new CB to partner Fonte, and have Jaidi and Seaborne in reserve. In 12 months time, bring Martin back, include him within the matchday squad, and consider Seaborne's position within the club.
Yes that makes more sense,. Blood him when the stakes are low. Looks like you have now changed your mind from saying all along he should start alongside Fonte to bringing him through slowly, which is a different scenario. st_brendy talks alot of sense & totally agree with what he says. Top post as always by the bloke.
I haven't changed my mind as I still think he's ready for the first team now, I'm just saying what I observed at the end of last season and what I think is happening, not what i want or my opinion
Oh dear. Trouble is we don't always get what we want in life. You will learn that as part of growing up. I would like Wes Brown but don't think I will get what I want either.
Those who criticise Seaborne act as if you can't improve. He's not exactly ancient and will learn from experience. Adkins and his team are good coaches and will be trying to do the best for Seaborne and Martin. Far too soon to say that Seaborne can't play in the Championship.
You have to remember too the standard of football Seaborne has played all his career so far. His career to-date has always been in the lower leagues, whose philosophy was to hoof the ball clear, back up field anywhere to clear their lines. As you start climbing the leagues this kind of thing is frowned on more and more and you are expected to find one of your own team, even under pressure. It can of course be done, but this area in particular is a weakness of his although he is getting better. It is clear he has been told to keep his distribution simple. Trouble is it is too simple and predictable and usually easily read. He is young enough to improve the same as young Martin. Trouble is I am not sure we can have the luxury of waiting for these players to develop to their full potential with the current Cb players we have at the moment. Hence the probability of another CB coming in.
